Cirque du Soleil®: Leaping into the future with SAP Business AI
Explore Cirque du Soleil’s journey with SAP
While audiences discover the extraordinary, Cirque du Soleil and SAP continue to work behind the scenes to run many of its operational processes including travel and expense management, the purchase of goods and services, and running its core financial, operational and HR systems.
38
current shows around the globe.
~4,000
employees worldwide.
25%
faster invoice inquiry responses.
The Challenge
Re-imagining international operations
As a global leader in live entertainment, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group continually pushes the limits of performance and creativity. With 38 shows worldwide and almost 4,000 artists and staff from 80 countries, its operations are highly complex, managing over 70,000 supplier invoices annually. The accounts payable team faced heavy workloads, with about 40% of inquiries coming from vendors seeking invoice updates. The organization needed intelligent technology to track inquiries, translate communications, and provide real-time updates.
In other functions across the organization, the ability to quickly pivot, scale, and serve growth objectives has never been more critical. From sourcing bespoke sequins and fabrics for 18,000+ costumes to acquiring props and equipment for global shows, Cirque’s procurement processes were vast and labour-intensive. They required a procurement system with a globally connected network with real-time updates.
Another pain point Cirque du Soleil wanted to resolve was manual recordkeeping for more than 4,000 employees from different countries. The goal was to gain further clarity and transparency on expense and travel management for over 7,000 trips per year. It required an innovative solution to digitalize processes and unlock insights for optimal decision making.
Cirque du Soleil RISE to the Cloud with SAP
Learn how Cirque du Soleil has embraced a digital transformation using SAP S/4HANA Cloud to modernize its core operations, scale its global business and become future-proof in an ever-changing industry.
The Solution
Flexing AI capabilities for a quantum leap in business process efficiency
Cirque du Soleil’s move to the cloud with RISE with SAP established a scalable, AI-ready foundation to streamline operations and elevate supplier experiences. Leveraging SAP Business Technology Platform (SAP BTP) for innovation, the organization now avails of a modern cloud ERP that seamlessly integrates with AI and machine learning capabilities, paving the way for new intelligent tools such as the AI Innovation Assistant.
SAP BTP further enhances Cirque du Soleil’s digital transformation by simplifying data management, standardizing processes, and enabling automation across the organization. It integrates key solutions like SAP Ariba and SAP Concur while offering the flexibility to build custom applications that adapt to evolving business needs.
For their globally dispersed workforce, Cirque du Soleil is moving beyond using SAP SuccessFactors simply to keep employee data. With stronger data integrity and governance, Cirque du Soleil has reduced the risk of errors and is taking advantage of automated processes and information workflows to manage its talented people.
With Concur Travel & Expense, Cirque du Soleil can now navigate global compliance, negotiate better rates with suppliers, and simplify expense reporting for its staff and performers as they perform around the world.
With SAP Ariba, Cirque du Soleil consolidates all procurement data into a single, collaborative platform enabling smoother coordination with suppliers, improved visibility, and better control over complex logistics such as equipment transport by sea, air, and land. This integration also supports more efficient negotiations and optimized supplier rates.
With SAP Concur, our workload is now cut in half. The data flows easily and transparently through the system. We focus more on the control than the process itself. It reduces my level of stress.
Chantale Périgny
Accounts Payable Manager
Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group
The Result
Flying high in the cloud to reach the outer limits of imagination
By choosing SAP S/4HANA Cloud Private Edition through RISE with SAP, Cirque du Soleil pairs modern functionality and intelligent technology with a creative engine at its core. As a result, Cirque du Soleil is seeing significantly less complexity in its finance operations and in managing tour cost centers. SAP S/4HANA Finance and Controlling handles multi-currency transactions, local tax regulations, payment processing, and financial reporting to manage cost tracking for each show. In the past, the company would have created around 140 cost objects for each tour. With the move to SAP S/4 HANA, the company has reduced this number by almost 80%, creating a unified data model and establishing a consistent reporting structure.
With the SAP Business AI–powered Invoice Assistant, Cirque du Soleil transformed its accounts payable operations. Supplier inquiry response times have been cut from 48 hours to just 1 hour for urgent e-mails and reduced manual effort. Generative AI now prioritizes high-importance requests instantly and automates repetitive tasks like retrieving invoice data, drafting replies, and translating messages. As a result, non-urgent inquiries are resolved 25% faster, and the Accounts Payable team’s backlog has dropped by 25%.
SAP SuccessFactors provides Cirque du Soleil self-service functionality to its globally touring employees whilst enhancing organizational agility and employee engagement to its entire workforce.
With SAP Concur and RISE with SAP as part of its overall intelligent enterprise journey, Cirque du Soleil is achieving operational excellence with a compliant and transparent spend management system at the core of its business processes.
SAP Ariba enables Cirque employees to browse and select their preferred supplier, order what they need for shows around the world, and receive it on time. Employees enjoy a procurement system that is 5x faster than the previous one, streamlining their entire source-to-pay process.
As Cirque du Soleil continues to innovate and expand its global reach, SAP’s advanced technology will play a pivotal role in streamlining operations, ensuring timely payments, and enhancing supplier relationships.
Cirque du Soleil represents true cloud transformation; using technology and artificial intelligence to run all facets of its operations, including connecting financials, human resources, procurement, and travel with SAP Business Suite. Now, it’s ready for show time.
Stéphanie LeRoy
Procurement Senior Director
Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group
SAP helps Cirque du Soleil run better
Key business outcomes and benefits
- Rebuilt foundation to allow its technology architecture to grow and scale with the business
- 5x faster procurement processes, compared to its legacy software, using SAP Ariba solutions
- Single solution to manage HR and new talent with a unified user experience
- Ability to navigate global compliance, negotiate better supplier rates, and simplify expense reporting for staff and performers using SAP Concur solutions
- Transition to a cloud-first business to prepare the organization for growth, innovation, and expansion
Featured solutions and services
- RISE with SAP comprises key products and services from SAP and its partners to help customers migrate to the cloud with a leading modular cloud ERP.
- SAP S/4HANA Cloud is a comprehensive ERP system with built-in intelligent technologies, including AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics.
- SAP Ariba solutions help large and midsize companies realize
fast time to value in the cloud. - SAP Concur solutions connect travel, expense, and invoice management for total visibility and control.
- SAP SuccessFactors solutions offer indivualized experiences and strategic software that empower employees to reach their potential.
About Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group is a world leader in live entertainment. On top of producing world-renowned circus arts shows, the Canadian organization brings its creative approach to a large variety of entertainment forms such as multimedia productions, immersive experiences, theme parks and special events. Going beyond its various creations, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group aims to make a positive impact on people, communities and the planet with its most important tools: creativity and art.
For more information please visit the official Cirque du Soleil website.
| Industry | Company Size | Region |
| Sports and entertainment | 4,000 employees | Global |